IF Manchester City's former goalkeeper, Ronald Waterreus, is right, Wanderers could have it comparatively easy on Monday night.

The 34-year-old Dutchman, whose six-month spell with the Blues ended when he was sold to Rangers last month, accused the Blues of being happy to live in the comfort zone.

Waterreus might just be bitter after failing to oust David James for the number one shirt, but his parting shot at City may strike a chord with some City fans who wonder why their club has only won one trophy - the First Division title in 2002 - in the last 29 years.

Waterreus said: "I played for trophies in Holland. Manchester City is a big club, but it doesn't play for trophies.

"When you play for a club like City, you don't play for anything. If you draw, everyone is happy."

The statistics that show City find it notoriously difficult to put two wins together and that they have gone almost 30 years without winning a major trophy add weight to Waterreus' comments.

If City really are happy just to remain in the comfort zone, however, then the fact that their victory at Norwich last time out ended all relegation fears augurs well for Wanderers tonight.

A City victory would put them just a point behind Sam Allardyce's men and in with a real chance of kicking on for a UEFA Cup qualification place.

If Kevin Keegan's men were to achieve that, it would prove Waterreus and their other critics wrong and show they do possess the ambition and determination to succeed.

The Rangers' keeper's comments suggest City do not have players with a winning mentality in their side.

That may have been true in the past but few would argue that Sylvain Distin, Danny Mills, Ben Thatcher, Richard Dunne, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joey Barton, Paul Bosvelt and Robbie Fowler do not want to win every tackle, challenge and cross.

Keegan believes attitude is not a problem at City but rather the club does not have a big enough squad to compete for prizes.

His claims appear justified by his lack of options in every department on Monday night.

Left back poses his biggest problem with first choice Thatcher injured, his usual replacement, Stephen Jordan, suspended, the next in line, Nedum Onuoha out with a hamstring injury and another senior player who has played in the position this season, Sun Jihai, out for the season with a knee injury. The likely solution could be to give David Sommeil his Premiership start of the season, either in an unaccustomed left back role or in his preferred central defensive role.

The latter would mean switching skipper Distin to the left but City would run the risk of suffering from the break up of Distin's hugely impressive central defensive partnership with Dunne which has provided the foundation for this season's much improved defensive record. City must also change their effective central midfield partnership of Bosvelt and Barton as the latter serves a one-match suspension.

Claudio Reyna may return after long term injury or Steve McManaman could step up from the bench to make a rare start.

City's biggest blow is the absence of Wright-Phillips who will be out for a month while he recovers from knee surgery.

That will give a chance for either Lee Croft, who impressed against Wanderers for Oldham in the FA Cup in January when his rash challenge caused Nicky Hunt to be stretchered off, or Willo Flood.

Barring a surprise up front, Fowler will shoulder the front-running duties on his own with Antoine Sibierski playing just behind him where he will look to create openings, win flick-ons and get into the box at every opportunity.

The omens suggest Wanderers will have a fight on their hands. City have won their last three Premiership clashes and four out of the last five.

In the absence of Wright-Phillips, the main danger could come from Fowler.

He is enjoying a new lease of life since shedding the pounds in a tough fitness programme midway through the season.

He is also revelling in the responsibility as City's main striker since the £7 million departure of Nicolas Anelka in January.

He says: "I accept that I have extra responsibility in the goalscoring department. I know that I am the senior partner whether it is Antoine (Sibierski) playing just off the front or Jon Macken up there alongside me.

"My confidence is quite high at the minute and I am enjoying my football but I don't take anything for granted.

"It is important for the club that we keep on moving forwards and try to build some momentum towards the end of the season.

"I know we didn't start off well but confidence in the team is high and there is a real togetherness. The important thing is that we keep proving that.""